One of the many things you may notice while visiting Preston Castle is the ornate vault door when you first enter the Administration Building, in the front room off to the right. Looking up at the door frame, you may notice an ornate face. This is often referred to as “The North Wind Face,” sometimes associated with Boreas, or the Spirit of the North Wind, a motif popular in the Victorian era.
Many years ago, I had inquired about the meaning of the ornate
face on the vault door and a good friend of mine, Myke Ellis, who has been
working with antiques from that era most of his career, identified it for me.
That left me curious about the history of the vault itself.
The “North Wind Face” was a symbol of protection, mythic
authority, strength, and endurance. It was frequently used on architectural
hardware, knockers, and doors during this period.
There were two widely known companies that manufactured
these types of ornate vault doors: Mosler Safe Company and Herring & Co.,
also known as Herring and Hall’s Safe & Lock. Subsequently,
Herring & Co. merged with
another company, forming Herring-Hall-Marvin.
Although I do not know for certain which company
manufactured the vault or vault door for the Administration Building at the
Preston School of Industry, it is highly likely that it was one of the two
companies mentioned above.
Based on the visible features of the door frame itself—such
as the rectangular door with a heavy frame, decorative ornament at the top, and
interior cabinetry within the vault—this design suggests it was intended
specifically for an administrative or bank vault, rather than the
industrial-style vaults manufactured later.
Given these features, and the time when this design was most
popular, it appears to match the type of design known from Herring and Hall’s
Safe & Lock, as opposed to Mosler vaults. Another reason it resembles a
Herring vault is that vault placement during the 19th century
followed consistent patterns for visibility, ease of access, and security. The
specific placement of the vault in the front and to the right inside the Administration Building is, as an expert
would say, “textbook Herring/Hall’s placement.”*
(*Again, I do not know for certain which company manufactured this particular vault, I can only go by similarities in design and make an educated guess.)
The Superintendent could easily
access payroll, petty cash, financial records, and important contracts or
paperwork that required secure storage. Money
could be quickly secured, vendors paid efficiently, and staff wages handled
discreetly. This was not just something found at Preston, but also commonplace
at State Hospitals, County offices, Industrial Schools, Correctional
facilities, and Orphanages as well.
Symbolism in the Victorian era
appeared in cemeteries, furniture, architecture, and even vaults. The ornament
above the vault door represented moral guardianship, strength, authority, and protection,
something that would have been imperative at a school such as Preston. Acting
as a symbolic protective force, the “North Wind Face” fits the ethos of the
reform school itself.
I hope that this little peek into the past—by way of documenting
a piece of the school’s history (the vault)—gives you some insight into the
symbolism of the piece itself, as well as an appreciation for Victorian-era
design used at the time Preston was constructed. Although most people may look
at the door as they pass through the building, and they may notice the ornament
above it, they might not actually know its meaning, why it was specifically
chosen, or why it was placed in that particular spot in the building—let alone
the meaning of the symbol itself.
Next time you visit, or if you are planning your first visit to Preston soon,
please stop and peek at this vault door—and remember where you learned its
history!
(Copyright 2026, J'aime Rubio, www.jaimerubiowriter.com)
Sources:
Ellis, Myke. Victorian Era Interior Design Expert
American Numismatic Society. Herring‑Hall‑Marvin
Safe Co., 1920–1933: Administrative Records. ANS Archives.
Adams County Museum. Herring‑Hall‑Marvin Safe Co. Safe: Company History
and Overview.
Smithsonian Institution. Trade Catalogs from Herring‑Hall‑Marvin Safe Co.
Smithsonian Libraries Trade Literature Collection.
